ACA Gets Win in California Auto Refinish Language

Posted on:5/21/2012

Rule will not include thinners used specifically in marine and automotive refinish coatings

The American Coating Association has secured interpretive language from the California Air resources Board (CARB) stating that its rule for Consumer Products -- which regulates paint thinners and solvents -- does not include thinners used specifically in marine and automotive refinish coatings.

In response to ACA comments (Comment D-70) of the 2009 Consumer Product Rule, ARB stated that "When considered together, the applicability of this regulation found in section 94507 and the definitions of Consumer Product; Institutional Product; Multi-purpose Solvent; and Paint Thinner in section 94508(a), make it clear that solvents and reducers labeled to be used exclusively in marine and automotive coatings are not subject to the regulation." ARB would like to further clarify, the statement "marine and automotive coatings" includes both Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Automotive and Marine coatings, but also automotive refinish operations and marine coating applications at marinas and shipyards of all sizes, with respect to the solvents and reducers that are labeled to be used exclusively in automotive refinish and marine coatings.